Continuous loop tape storage and supply unit



p 396% M. A. VERDONE 3,464,611

commuous LOOP TAPE STORAGE AND SUPPLY UNIT Filed Oct. 23, 1967 3,464,611 CONTINUOUS LOOP TAPE STORAGE AND SUPPLY UNIT Michael A. Verdone, Hillsborough, Calif., assignor to Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 677,193 Int. Cl. B65h 17/42; Gllb 15/56 US. Cl. 226-119 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tape drive feeds a continuous loop tape into a metal chamber having a first section in which loops of incoming tape are formed and having a second generally horn-shaped section along which these loops of tape are forced so that each loop is removed from the chamber when it has reached the end of the second section.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Non-reel storage and supply of a continuous loop of tape has typically been accomplished by either random storage of tape loops in a bin or by storage of the tape in a zigzag pattern across many takeup spools. The latter method supplies tape smoothly, but requires a good deal of mechanical energy to turn the many spools needed. In addition, a large storage space is required for the zigzag tape pattern. Ordinary storage bins require less space, but have an inherent difliculty in supplying tape smoothly without jerks. This is because in ordinary bins incoming loops of tape generally build up on top of one another so that when a tape loop is removed from the bin it must often be pulled from the bottom of a pile of tape loops. A smooth supply of tape is necessary in many applications where highly accurate recording is required.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved storage chamber in which a continuous loop tape may be stored and from which the tape may be smoothly withdrawn by a tape drive.

This object is accomplished according to the illustrated embodiment of this invention by providing a chamber between parallel metal walls spaced a sufficient distance apart to accommodate a single thickness of tape. This chamber has a first rounded section for receiving the tape and for forming it into loops and a second adjacent section for storing these loops. The second section is generally horn-shaped and increases in width for a selected distance from the first section. Thus, the loops of tape formed in the first section stack up in a generally serpentine pattern in the second section and are forced along the second section so that each loop may be removed from the chamber when it has reached the end of the second section. Since the loops at the end of the second section are generally large and relaxed and since there are no loops of tape piled on top of the loops to be removed, the tape may be smoothly withdrawn fi'om the chamber without jerks and bumps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, which is an exploded representation of the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a housing defining a chamber between two vertical parallel plates 10 and 12 separated a distance sufficient to accommodate a single width of the continuous loop of recording tape 14. The chamber in- States Patent 3 ,464 ,6 l l Patented Sept. 2, 1969 eludes two distinct, first and second, adjacent sections 16 and 18. Section 16 is an open area for receiving the tape wherein the incoming tape 14 forms into random loops which lineup in serpentine fashion. The size and shape of these loops is controlled by the size of section 16, the angle of tape entry into the chamber with respect to horizontal, and by the weight and speed of the tape.

The serpentine loops of tape are then forced down through the neck separating first and second sections 16 and 18 into second section 18, which is a generally hornshaped area increasing in width 22 for a specified distance from first section 16. The serpentine tape loops then move freely along the area of increasing width to the end of second section 18 at side 24. In the area of increasing Width of second section 18, the tape loops relax and enlarge so that the area of increasing width is filled with a loosely packed serpentine pattern of tape loops. The shape of second section 18 resembles an involute in that the radius of curvature of side 26 of section 18 increases as the distance from section 16 increases. This involute shape and the vertical orientation of the chamber with the first section above the second section allow the serpentine pattern of loosely packed tape loops to follow the walls of the second section and to move substantially horizontally without piling the tape loops on top of one another as they approach the end of the second section. Thus, when each tape loop reaches the end of the second section 18, it can be smoothly pulled out at point 28 without any jerking such as is introduced by binding of tightly packed tape loops piled on top of one another.

Tape 14 is removed from the end of second section 18 by means including in this case a combination of capstans 30 and a frictional pawl. Tape 14 passes across heads 32 wherein recording or playback is accomplished and returns to first section 16. The means for returning the continuous loop of tape 14 includes, in combination, turnaround idler and takeup arm guide 34 and takeup reel turntable 36, which comprise the basic takeup system for a conventional two-reel tape recording system. The whole tape loop storage and supply system is portable and readily attached to the face of a recording system 38. Frictional driving of tape 14 is accomplished by a rubber ring 40 placed about takeup reel turntable 36. A lowinertia pawl 42 is provided at the tape entrance to first section 16 to drive tape 14 smoothly into first section 16 by holding tape 14 down against turning rubber ring 40.

The housing wherein the loops of tape 14 form and are stored is constructed of a conductive material if magnetic recording tape is to be used. This will help dissipate the static electricity generated by the loop formation and motion. The inside surfaces of the housing which contact the tape will discharge finite charges on the tape which would otherwise influence the positioning and formation of the tape loops within the housing.

I claim:

1. A storage and supply unit for a continuous loop tape, said unit comprising:

a housing defining a chamber between two parallel planes spaced a suificient distance apart to accommodate a single width of tape, said chamber including first section means for forming successive incoming portions of the tape into loops and including second section means for storing these loops of tape in a serpentine pattern and forcing them away from the first section means towards one end of the second section means;

said housing being mountable in a two-reel tape system to convert the system to continuous-loop operation;

drive means including a takeup reel t-urnable of the two-reel tape system for removing the tape from said chamber at said one end of the second section means 3 and returning it to the first section means of said chamber.

2. A continuous loop storage and supply unit as in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a low-inertia pawl to drive the tape into the first section means of said chamber.

3. A continuous loop storage and supply unit as in claim 1 wherein:

said housing is constructed of an electrically-conduc tive material and is mountable in the two-reel tape system with said parallel planes disposed vertically and with the first section means of said chamber disposed above the second section means of said chamber; and

said second section means of said chamber is a generally horn-shaped section turning about an axis that is perpendicular to said parallel planes to form substantially an involute shaped section increasing in width for a selected distance from the first section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Pankratz et al. 226-118 Schulz 226-118 Boyden 226-118 X Gilman 226-118 X Brumbaugh 226-118 ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner 

